Overview
Kashgar
People may hear Kashgar being titled as "an important trade and cultural city on Silk Road". "a South Gate to neighbors Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan," "without Kashgar without Xinjiang," and "an alive recorder of Xinjiang's history," etc. By whatever praised, Kashgar is just more than words to describe.
Located in the abdomen of Central Asia, Kashgar belongs to a warm continental arid climate zone with four distinct seasons. Summer is hot with abundant sunshine. The sun loves Xinjiang so much that it doesn't want to leave until 10 pm in summer. Winter is not cold but comfortable for outdoor activities. Golden Autumn shows us the best side of smoked yellow and avocado red.
Why visit the city
1. Peculiar scenery
The Pamir Plateau is known as the Roof of the world, the winding Yerqiang River, the Muztag Iceberg so-called "Father of Icebergs", the bright and beautiful alpine lake-Karakul Lake, the Taklimakan Desert and so on. These natural landscapes make Kashgar exceptionally beautiful and enchanting.
2. Enriched Uighur culture
People say Kashgar is a place of Uighur culture so condensed than any other city in Xinjiang that wherever you are in, you could feel it, smell it, even see it without touching it. Most of the residents are Uyghur, who has faith in Islamic doctrine. In 2009 I visited Jiashi village in Kashgar, where none of the residents could speak the Han language. I got lost in there.
3. Uighur family gates
In Old Town Kashgar, you will be surprised to find Uighur family gates decoration are so colorful and attractive like you going to a palace. Generally, the decoration is adopted the artistic techniques of brick carving, wood carving, reliefs with the integration of various styles, colors, and patterns to show the Uygur people's love for life and hope for the future.
4. More cultural relics and historical sites
Id Kah Mosque, Tomb of Yusuf Khass Hajib, author of Kutadgu BILIG, Apak Hoja Mazzar, the capital of the ancient "Dippanto" country-Taxkorgan Stone City and so on.
5. Uighur folk music and dance
Twelve Muqam, Uighur classical music, refers to music, literature, dance, drama, and other arts to show the Uygur people's colorful life and noble sentiment and reflects their ideals and pursuit of happiness. I am often told Uighurs who were born can sing and dance well. You will see old Uighur men play Dongbula or Rewap anywhere in the city. They are just amateur.
6. A paradise for gastronome
It is my first Time too to know about Brassica, which is one of the indispensable daily ingredients in Kashgar, not in the North of Xinjiang. Brassica is wildly cooked for pigeon soup, a special dish in Kashgar.
Top Attractions
1. Id kah Mosque, a courtyard-style temple.
The main body is in goose yellow, which looks warm and inviting. Next to the gatehouse are two minarets in soft-curved shape with Islamic crescent moons on each tower's top. Inside decorations are spectacular. The roofs are supported by 158 light blue pillars in a grid shape. The ceiling and the four corners of the wooden pillars have exquisite wood carvings and colorful bath well patterns. They are a symbol of peace and the universe.
2. Old Town
Somehow the town is commercialized for attracting tourists, but why people still love to see the town with great passion? Charming exists in its largest-preserved-adored residential complex in the world, making the impression with long history and epitome of Uighur culture. On the other side, the town is full of life. Either you hang around a street or have a cup of tea in the hundred-year Tea house, you can't help falling in love with it for its light orange color all over and labyrinthine layouts, as if here nothing has changed, but everything has. In my eyes, The Old Town is like an aged man with wisdom and peace simultaneously having strong chest muscles of Sparta Warriors' and fearless spirit. It stirs my soul and gives me fantasy.
3. Apak Hoja Mazzar
I'd rather call it a magnificent palace with Islamic ancient architecture styles of domes and crescent moons on the top. Outside walls are all veneered with dark green glazed bricks from top to bottom, and occasional with colorful pictures and Arabic Quran epigrams. These glazed bricks were made more than 300 years ago but still beautiful and shining today.
4. Cattle & Sheep Bazaar
There are loads of fun to experience how Uighurs carry out transactions. Although big and fat ass of cattle and sheep are not willing to be sold, smart Uighurs know to make a deal. Whether in Sunday Bazaar or the Grand Bazaar, Uighur business people are good at trading.
5. Pamirs, means "Roof of the World" in Tajik
When I was young, I knew nothing about Pamirs but splendid and far-reaching. My mind still goes blank as speaking of Pamirs and cause great curiosity about the mysterious giant mountain and how people make a living there. Traveling is a way of learning. As traveling along the way inside the territory, you will explore Muztag Peak, Karakul Lake, Stone Town, and Taxkorgan Autonomous County. You might find how amazing they are.
6. Karakuli Lake means "Black Lake" in Taji.
I interpret that the Lake is deep dark blue, and spooky. It is about 160Km2 away from Aktao county, 3600m above sea level, with 10Km2. Just because of the Gongge peak, Gongger Jiubie peak, and Mustage peak around to the Lake, all makes it so picturesque with mountains and the Lake in one. Silver mountains and blue Lake are intoxicating and add a bit of romance to the majestic Pamirs.
7. Taxkorgan County meet Tajik
Europa white people in China make them so special and unique.
When to come
The best Time of touring Kashgar is in Autumn. The sun isn't so scorching as in summer and sets us free to go outside. August fruits and September breeze make everything possible.
To those who love sunshine and make trips in summer is also a good choice. Kashgar's summer is always hilarious, like its red color. You might burn the passion for experiencing "lonely smoke straight in the desert, long river and a round sunset" somewhere in the desert of Kashgar.
Different seasons bring us the joy of seasonal changes. Spring is young green while Winter is white cold. Time is just in your heart. Don't wait but make it.
Transportation
Kashgar is the transportation hub of Southern Xinjiang. It is convenient either by plane (the airport about 9km away from the city center) or by train to come down. Round-trip trains from Urumqi are available every day.
Kashgar highways go to 12 counties (cities) directly. From Kashgar City to the northeast highways leading to Kezhou, Aksu, Korla, Turpan, and northward to Urumqi. From Kashgar City to the southeast highways leading to Shule, Yingjisha, Shache, Zepu, Yecheng and Hotan, and to Dunhuang in Gansu Province and Golmud in Qinghai Province to the East, and Ali area of Tibet from Yecheng to the south.
Accommodation
Accommodation of Kashgar has been upgraded a lot in recent years to fit in the title as an important city on Silk Road. Travelers have no worry about finding a hotel room to stay in.
Some valuable hotels are well-rated among guests for your references. They can ensure cozy hotels and pleasant service to help travelers have a great experience in Kashgar. Please have a check.
Kashgar Qiniwak Hotel
Kashgar Tianyuan Hotel
Taxinan Barony Hotel
Kashgar Maps you might need
